Happy Labor Day weekend! Hope everyone makes it a relaxing and safe one. Looks like big, bad Hurricane Earl is throwing a wrench into the travel plans of many East Coasters (myself included) but the rest of the weekend is looking beautiful.

That said, whether you're staying put or heading out of town this weekend, take a moment to peruse these green home news items that you may have missed this week.

And special something for all you rabid tennis fans: earlier this week, I was invited to swing by the 2010 US Open, take a behind-the-scenes tour of the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, and learn about the impressive eco-initiatives, both new and expanded, that the USTA is taking (with a helping hand from the NRDC and Eco Evolutions) this year. From special "GreenTerns" patrolling the grounds to the addition of the local/organic-focused Stonyfield Cafe, the US Open just keeps getting greener and greener. But don't take my word for it ... check out the PSA from Alec Baldwin at the bottom of the page.

TIME relaysthe announcement that IKEA stores in the motherland, Sweden, will be selling secondhand IKEA furnishings. A fine and dandy idea but I have to wonder given the disposable nature of IKEA products what kind of shape they'll be in once they reach "secondhand status."

Jetson green hits the Jersey Shore with a look at SquallCo Development's Akamai (pictured above) and Ohana, two beautiful green shore house designs for Long Beach Island.

Design Milk admiresthe handiwork of Chris Ruhe, a furniture designer who creates kooky-looking cabinets out of salvaged doors and other pieces of scrap wood. He's also responsible for a bookshelf made from old ladders.

The Independent reports that sustainable building crusader Prince Charles has gotten the green light to install 32 rooftop solar panels atop his home at Clarence House, Westminster.

USATODAY has the scoop on the potential for rooftop photovoltaics at another famous residence: President Obama is being, ahem, gently nudged by eco-author Bill McKibben and a group of students from Unity College (among others) to install rooftop solar panels at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

CNET gives the blow by blow on the acquisition of mulch, compost, and garden supply purveyor Garick by trash/recycling powerhouse, Waste Management (WM).